What Parents & Teachers Can Do

CONTENTS

Dyspraxia Explained

Where do I go for HELP!!

Signs and Symptoms

Associated Conditions

HITCHIN-The National Organisation

ALL ABOUT US AT DFCD

What can you as a Teacher do ?

The simple answer is that you can do a huge amount to help children with learning difficulties especially by spotting the signs early on during reception classes. Go to SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS to see information on this subject.

Below are some things that can be done initially to help in conjunction with Parents.

• The child may need extra supervision and positive encouragement to stay on task.
• Seating should allow the child to rest both feet flat on the floor and the child to be encouraged (with house points etc) to sit with an upright posture
• The desk should be at elbow height with a facility to use a sloping surface for reading and additional activities. Alway communicate with local OT's and parents before providing a sloping surface.
• The child should be placed so he/she is able to view the teacher directly without turning the body and be close enough to hear/see instructions. Also try and seat away from distractions ie windows and doors etc.
• Always give instructions in chunks and break down activities or tasks into small components. By the time you have given 3 or 4 sets of instructions a Dyspraxic child will almost certainly have forgotten 1 and 2 already.
• Patience is the key. An overbearing or seemingly impatient attitude will not get the results you or the child want.
• Make prepared recording sheets available to reduce the amount of handwriting needed.
• Use alternative methods of recording, ie use a scribe / dictaphone / computer laptop etc..anything that gets the best results. Remember the Dyspraxic or Dyslexic child is generally of above inteligence they just cannot order their thoughts or spell well enough to record what is required.
• Teachers must stamp on any peer bullying or intimidation right from the start. If bullying verbal or actual is allowed to go unchecked the Dyspraxic child will lose confidence and self esteem very quickly and it may affect their entire school life.
• Reinforce verbal instructions by repeating more than once.
• If possible allow extra time for the completion of the work and in exams. Co-ordinate teaching in conjuction with parents and the school senco to get best results.
• Liaise with all the relevant proffesionals for further advice in the classroom and PE (a troubling subject for most Dyspraxics!!)
• On moving up from Junior to Senior schools Dyspraxic children can have major problems adjusting to the new regime. Help, ecouragement and discussions with parents prior to the change can and will have positive benefits for all concerned. A mentor system in Yr7 can be a positive way to integrate the child into a new school environment.
• Most of all - An understanding of Dyspraxia and how it affects children is vital in order to understand their problems and their abilities. How a teacher reacts to a dyspraxic child in the classroom can make a big difference. The website goes some way to addressing the issues but there is still a long way to go.

What can you as a Parent do ?

As a Parent of a child with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Adhd and is on the Autistic Spectrum the first thought I had was to pack my bag and leave town. However on reflection this was clearly not a solution as my wife would have found where I was hiding!

As a family we have gone through some good times and some very bad times. The good times always outway the bad ones but sometimes it just doesn't seem like it.

It is almost impossible to offer advice to parents of Dyspraxic children because they often have more than one condition. All children are different and should be treated as individuals in their own right. What is right for one child might be totally inappropriate for another.

In order to get our child the help he needed we had to battle the system every step of the way.You may be at the start of this journey or nearing the end but what is key is the ability to get up off the floor and keep fighting for what you believe in. Your child is relying on you because nobody else will fight for him/her. Nobody else will contact you to see if they can help. Nobody else cares more than you do You know your child better than anyone else so keep fighting because eventually you can get there.

ALL ABOUT US AT DFCD

BACK TO TOP

The Dyspraxia Foundation is a registered charity (No 1058352) and is limited by Guarentee. Registered in England (No 3256733).
THE DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION (DFCD) is an affiliated member of the National Group based in Hitchin.

Click Image to EMAIL Tina (our Co-ordinator) at DYSPRAXIA FOUNDATION COUNTY DURHAM.
Write to DFCD PO BOX 315, DURHAM.

DFCD WEBPAGES © 2002 DFCD
Designed and updated by PAUL WILSON (Editor JUMPSTART NEWSLETTER)
Contact me